I have sizable garden prunings, and am running out of chisels and files to rehandle. So to spoons and bowls. I currently have quite a bit of privet (eventually got to an unused part of garden), and whilst ingesting the flowers (and inhaling the scent in Spring) and seeds are a problem, are there any problems with the dry wood itself? I do have alternatives - crepe myrtle, camellia, rhododendron, bottle brush, macadamia, mango, lemon. I might mention privet is a noxious weed in this part of the world and land owners are legally obliged to get rid of it.

I came across a snippet of info. somewhere this week that suggested that beech and, I think, elm, might be carcinogenic - although I think it concerned inhalation of their dust (I would think inhaling any type of dust could be quite harmful though - silicosis, talcosis, etc.). I'd avoid yew. Personally, I'd avoid holly too but I read somewhere that it is fine. Most people seem happy to use fruit woods for eating utensils. I often use a lime wood spatula at home. I'd use ash. Oak is used for bear & brandy casks.

Australia, it's another world. Only heard of Eucalyptus, Billabongs and Tea Trees. Reckon I might avoid the former (aromatic) and the latter (antiseptic).

Privet wood is used often in making bowls, so I think you are safe using it for spoons. Rhododendron is called spoon wood in the US so that is also safe. I think the rest of the woods you listed are fine if maybe a tad on the hard side.

Tone, the information that you just mentioned about carcinogenic wood has to do with inhaling the dust. Actually you should wear a mask anytime you are doing any major sawing or sanding.